National Provider Identifier (NPI) Information

The National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a unique identification number for health care providers that will be
used by all health plans nationwide including Medicaid next year.

The Administrative Simplification portion of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996
(HIPAA) requires the new standard unique identifier.

Entities covered by HIPAA using electronic transactions must each obtain and use their unique NPI number by May
23, 2007 (examples: providers, clearinghouses, payers).

Providers are required to provide their NPI(s) information to all payers.

The North Dakota Department of Human Services, which administers the state's Medicaid program, has created a
coalition to help educate providers about the NPI.

Coalition Information

The purpose of the coalition is to establish a forum where questions and answers related to the National Provider
Identifier are addressed.

The coalition is comprised of providers, health care associations, and the Department of Human Services.

Informational Meeting Dates, Locations, and Times

2007 Meeting Dates: Jan. 10, March 14,
and May 9. These meetings will all be held
in the Judicial Wing at the State Capital, 2nd floor AV Room 212,
Bismarck, ND, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Providers located in the Bismarck area are welcome to join us at the location listed above. Providers
outside of the Bismarck area, should e-mail dhsnpihelpdesk@nd.gov for
dial-in information.

Submitting Questions: Please submit NPI related
questions todhsnpihelpdesk@nd.gov at least 24 hours prior to the
meeting. Questions will be answered to the best of our ability and may require additional research.

Electronic File Interchange (EFI), also referred to as "bulk enumeration", is a process by which a health
care provider or group of providers can have a particular organization (the "EFIO") apply for National
Provider Identifier(s) (NPI) on their behalf.